Concord
5 September
1858.
My dear Clough,
A very
dear & honored friend
of mine, Miss Elizabeth
Hoar, goes to spend her
year in Europe. This
custom of my country-
men is rarely so much
honored as by this act
of my friend. Who now
will stay at home, when
She has given them leave to go?
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We do not often send
you a traveller who
has so much penetration,
or correct taste, or
so much goodness, and
I am naturally am-
bitious that she should
see the best. You must
give her any advice
that occurs to you for
her better direction, in
the short time that she
stays in London. Miss
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Hoar is well acquainted
with some of your old
friends here, with Mrs.
Lowell & Miss Sturgis (Mrs
Tappan) and with your
new friends, that is,
those who heartily thank
you for verses.
I am afraid that Madame
Bodichon, whom I saw,
forgot on her return to
advise you to come to
America; and I am afraid
if she did, that you have
forgotten it. It is only
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when you English are just
out of Oxford, that there
is any plasticity in you.
Any colors must be laid
fast on surfaces that
harden so quickly. We would
have made a great man
of you by the immensity of
demand in the vacant
country; whilst, in London,
you will proudly say,
see the crowd of competitors,
what need of my straining
myself? Are there not
enough already? Charge
Mrs Clough, whom I wish
I knew, not to let you slumber
nor sleep. Yours affectionately,
R. W. Emerson
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[address on envelope]
A H. Clough, Esq.
Downing Street.
London.
